Posts Tagged ‘Papamixelaki squat’

The undertaking of a squat, was, is, and should continue to be a powerful tool in the hands of the comrades surrounding it. This tool is evolving through the time-space continuum, and thus we feel it is necessary to present a couple of historical “points”. Squatting, as a stable infrastructure makes its first appearance in Greece, but also in many other countries in and beyond Europe, during the 70‟s.

Both in Europe in general, and in Greece in particular, a number of squats that took place over the years, were more than a place used for housing or to accommodate alternative means of entertainment. They were instead a living, breathing political cell which would occasionally take aggressive characteristics. In Barcelona we meet the squat “Can Masdeu” where occupants, in one year faced hard oppression. Merely eleven squatters stood against 100 cops ordered to evacuate the premises, refusing to hand over the squat without a fight. One of the most vigorous movements was also the one in Copenhagen.

During March of ’82 and while the squatting movement was growing bigger and bigger, the clash with the authorities grew proportionally as well. This very same year the first violent clash between cops and squatters took place. This act was the beginning of the end of the peaceful resistance against eviction. More squats in Copenhagen were to follow. During June 1986 the town council decided to evacuate the squat “Ryesgate 58” and the squatters began preparing their defenses. What happened next was the biggest clash between squatters and police forces that ever took place. (more…)